If you love the soft, painterly look of pastels but want more control and less mess, pastel pencils are the perfect medium. They combine the rich pigment of soft pastels with the precision of a pencil — making them ideal for portraits, fine details, mixed media, and realistic artwork.
To help you choose the best set, we’ve reviewed the top-rated and best-selling pastel pencils on Amazon in 2025, focusing on pigment quality, blendability, durability, and overall value for artists.
Let’s get into the top picks 👇
🎨 1. Caran d’Ache Pastel Pencils – 84 Color Set
Best Overall Professional Pastel Pencils
Caran d’Ache pastel pencils are widely regarded as the best pastel pencils in the world. They offer ultra-fine pigments, buttery softness, and exceptional control — perfect for professional artists and serious pastel enthusiasts.
- Creative art materials
- Supplies
- Quality art products
Why they stand out:
- Extremely high pigment concentration
- Smooth, dust-controlled application
- Excellent for portraits and fine detail
- Lightfast, artist-grade quality
⭐ Best for professionals and advanced artists
💰 Premium price, premium performance
🖌️ 2. Stabilo CarbOthello Pastel Pencils – 60 Color Set
Best Balance of Quality & Value
Stabilo CarbOthello pencils are a favorite among illustrators and pastel artists for their soft, chalky texture and vibrant colors. They sharpen well, blend easily, and perform beautifully on pastel paper.
- Packaging may vary – same product, new look!
- Artist quality chalk-pastel coloring pencils – available in up to 60 different shades
- Colors can be mixed and blended – partially water soluble which means the contours remain visible
Highlights:
- Strong pigmentation
- Excellent blending and layering
- Slightly firmer core for control
⭐ Ideal for intermediate artists and serious beginners
💰 Mid-range price with pro-level results
✏️ 3. Derwent Pastel Pencils – 72 Color Set
Best for Controlled, Detailed Work
Derwent pastel pencils are known for their firm yet smooth cores, making them perfect for artists who prioritize precision. These are especially popular for wildlife art, landscapes, and detailed illustrations.
- Round, smooth barrel with 4.5mm core allows for maximum line flexibility to apply generous color or create crisp, fine l…
- Can be easily mixed and blended to create new hues and tints and detailed pastel studies
- Includes a well balanced collection of Derwent artist quality 72 wood-cased pastel pencils set in a convenient and secur…
Why artists choose them:
- Clean, consistent color laydown
- Less breakage when sharpening
- Excellent for line work and detail
⭐ Best for detailed illustration and realism
💰 Reliable, trusted artist brand
🎨 4. Faber-Castell Pitt Pastel Pencils – 60 Color Set
Best Lightfast Option for Archival Work
Faber-Castell Pitt pastel pencils feature high lightfastness ratings, making them ideal for artwork you plan to sell, frame, or archive long-term. They offer a slightly firmer feel with excellent control.
- The Pitt Pastel Pencils contain a high level of pigment with excellent lightfastness. They are wax and oil-free, and are…
- Faber-Castell is renowned for its high quality, innovative products, commitment to tradition, and environmental awarenes…
- Established in 1761 by the cabinet maker Kaspar Faber, Faber-Castell is one of the oldest industrial companies in the wo…
Top benefits:
- Excellent lightfast ratings
- Precise application
- Ideal for mixed media work
⭐ Great for artists selling finished pieces
💰 Professional quality at a fair price
🖍️ 5. Bruynzeel Design Pastel Pencils – 48 Color Set
Best Budget-Friendly Starter Set
If you’re new to pastel pencils or want an affordable way to explore the medium, Bruynzeel offers a solid entry-level set with vibrant colors and smooth handling.
- Set of 48 premium pastel pencils in a sturdy reusable storage case with four inlays to keep pencils neatly organized and…
- The pure, pigmented formula delivers soft, smooth colors that are easy to blend with excellent color transfer for vivid …
- With their 3.8mm core and lightweight cedar wood housings, these pencils won’t break easily when dropped or sharpened
Why it’s beginner-friendly:
- Easy to sharpen
- Smooth, consistent color
- Affordable and accessible
⭐ Best for beginners and hobbyists
💰 Excellent value starter set
🔥 Final Verdict: Which Pastel Pencils Should You Buy?
If you want top-tier, professional performance, Caran d’Ache is unmatched.
For excellent quality at a more accessible price, Stabilo CarbOthello and Derwent are fantastic choices.
If you’re just starting out, Bruynzeel gives you a great introduction without a big investment.
👉 Click your favorite pastel pencil set above and start creating soft, detailed, gallery-worthy artwork today.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
🟡 What are pastel pencils best used for?
Pastel pencils are ideal for fine details, portraits, realism, and mixed media, especially when combined with soft pastels.
🟡 Do pastel pencils need fixative?
Yes. Like soft pastels, finished artwork should be lightly sprayed with fixative to prevent smudging.
🟡 What paper works best for pastel pencils?
Textured pastel paper, sanded paper, or pastelmat works best to grip the pigment.
🟡 Are pastel pencils good for beginners?
Absolutely. They’re one of the easiest pastel mediums to control, making them beginner-friendly and less messy than soft pastels.
(As an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases. This helps support the blog at no extra cost to you.)